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Family Dog Defends Boy Against Cougar Attack

Much like an old episode of Lassie, a Canadian family's dog saved her 11-year-old owner's life by stepping between him and a cougar Saturday night.

Appropriately named Angel, the 18-month-old golden retriever sustained puncture wounds to her head and neck as well as a fractured skull from the deadly brawl.

The cougar charged Austin Forman as he was collecting firewood from the yard of his family's home in Boston Bar, British Columbia, a rural community near Vancouver.

"I was really scared. At first, I didn't know it was a cougar. I thought it was another dog," Austin told CTV News. "As soon as it went underneath the light, I saw that it was a cougar. I knew at that moment, I had to go inside."

"A cougar is eating Angel!" Forman screamed as he ran into his home.

The boy's mother, Sherri Forman, reportedly asked her shocked son to repeat himself numerous times.

The Forman family then watched in horror as the cougar mauled their beloved pet. Fortunately, on her father-in-law's suggestion, Sherri Forman, called 9-1-1. RCMP Const. Chad Gravelle, who was less than half a block away, rushed to the home to witness Angel and the cougar in a deadly struggle. Gravelle fired two shots and killed the cougar.

A local animal caregiver is tending to her extensive injuries and the Forman family is hopeful she will make a full recovery.

When interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today Show this morning, Austin said that Angel's reward for such a heroic act was a "big, nice juicy steak."

No doubt this Angel has that, and many more wonderful treats waiting for her homecoming.